Category: flagstone patios

Do Flagstone Patios Perform Well in Northern Virginia?

Some folks considering flagstone wonder, “Do flagstone patios perform well in Northern Virginia?  The answer is yes – if they are installed and maintained correctly. For the purpose of this article, we will be talking about Bluestone flagstone, the most popular flagstone in the mid-Atlantic area.

Naturally Strong and Beautiful
Bluestone is a type of sandstone used in flagstone patios in Northern Virginia. Bluestone is naturally strong and beautiful; it comes in shades of blue, gray, and purple.

Bluestone flagstone can be cleft into flat slabs, which can be used to create a free-form natural looking patio. Or, if you prefer a more formal looking patio, Bluestone flagstone can be cut into 1-4 foot squares and rectangles, with straight edges and corners. Whatever type of Bluestone flagstone you choose, it needs to be at least 2 inches thick in order to avoid breakage.

While cleft Bluestone flagstone can be installed with sand, mortar is typically used. And when mortar is used, the patio needs to be installed on top of a stable slab. For a cut flagstone patio, mortar is always used.

Bluestone flagstone patios can be covered or left completely open. They can support heavy grills and outdoor kitchens, and are easy to keep clean. However, they do require a proper sealing to preserve color, to resist chlorine or salt water, and to protect from scratching and staining.

Weather Performance
Flagstones are natural stones, and flagstone patios hold up well under our weather in Northern Virginia. Flagstones do not expand and contract due to heat or cold, and that are not easily damaged by hail. Flagstones reflect the sun, and when temperatures soar, the stones can be quite hot on bare feet.

In the Fall and Spring, Bluestone flagstone patios should be swept and cleaned with a mild detergent. Any repairs needed should be done by an expert, such as Premier Paving & Planting. If flagstone patios in Northern Virginia haven’t been resealed in the last 5 years, a call to the Premier Paving & Planting can get that done quickly.

For more information about flagstone patios in Northern Virginia, please contact Premier Paving. Established in 1987, Premier Paving & Planting, Inc. provides free estimates, and delivers a full compliment of high quality landscape services, including concrete work and lawn and garden services, along with installation of permeable and non-porous paver and hardscape surfaces (such as flagstone) and structures. NCMA and ICPI certified, Premier Paving is licensed and insured, and carries an A+ rating from Angie’s List.

 

Fairfax VA Firepits: Create A Family Gathering Spot

Creating a backyard oasis with an outdoor kitchen, flagstone patio and firepit can create a family gathering spot for generations.

While your kids are little, they can be roasting marshmallows while you watch. As they grow, during their teenage years, your kids will gather with their friends in the ‘cool’ backyard and talk of schools and boyfriends and girlfriends.

When the kids go away to college, they will have the fond memories of the ‘best backyard in the world’, and the great times they had there. You can go out to the firepit and roast a couple of marshmallows yourself, remembering the times when the kids were little.

After college, your kids will start careers, and get married, starting families of their own. But, there will be stories told to your grandkids of the ‘best backyard in the world’.

Before you know it, there will be little kids, roasting marshmallows around the backyard firepit again, as you tell stories of your grandkids parent’s time playing in that yard.

Families need places to gather, get connected and build memories. A backyard retreat can provide such a place for your family. Give Premier Paving a call and get started building those family memories today.

Flagstone Patios in McLean VA: Customized to Your Wants and Needs

One of the great things about flagstone patios in McLean VA, is that they can be customized to meet your wants and needs. You have your choice of color, shape, patterns, and finish for their new flagstone patios in McLean VA. Another big plus – flagstone patios are durable through our weather in McLean VA, and easy to maintain.

Colors
Flagstone pavers come in a multitude of colors that do not fade. The pavers used in flagstone patios are usually derived from slate, bluestone, quartzite, limestone, or sandstone. Some of the most common flagstone colors include red, brown, and blue. Other color options are moss green, charcoal grey, sand, and brownstone.

Shapes
Flagstone pavers also come in many shapes: rectangle, irregular, Hexagonal, Uni Décor, Spectrum, Diamond turf, and Apian. They usually range from 1-3 inches in thickness. The stone shape is dictated by the patterns that are chosen.

Patterns
Due to the the amazing number of shapes that flagstones come in, there is an unlimited number of patterns. Bottom line: any pattern you choose, can be created with flagstones. Flagstone pavers can be installed in diamond run, basket weave, Herringbone, cobble lock, Venetian parquet, random, and irregular patterns. Based on the pattern selected, your patio can have an Old World, Mediterranean, and Modern or Contemporary look.

Finishes
In addition, homeowners can also choose the finish of flagstone patios in McLean VA. Various finishes include calibrated surface, brushed, antique or tumbled, sawn, hand-cut, and chiseled.

For more information about customized flagstone patios in McLean VA, please contact Premier Paving & Planting. The experts at Premier Paving & Planting have been providing customized flagstone patios to homeowners in McLean VA and other Northern Virginia communities since 1987.